Carrying Capacity Test

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| By Marshallje
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Marshallje
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  • 1/20 Questions

    Carrying capacity applies to: 

    • Animals
    • Plants
    • Humans
    • All of the above
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About This Quiz

Carrying capacity is a unit of measurement that is used in all sorts of manners. In the study of biology, it looks at the number of people, animals, and crops that a region can support without harming the environment, but it is also a term used to see how many people can fit inside areas like a vehicle or an elevator where volume and weight are a concern. What else do you know about it?

Carrying Capacity Test - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    Carrying capacity is:

    • The maximum number of individuals that can fit into an area

    • The ability of an environment to accommodate a growing population

    • The greatest number of individuals that an area can sustain over the long term

    • The maximum number of species that can co-exist in an area

    Correct Answer
    A. The greatest number of individuals that an area can sustain over the long term
    Explanation
    Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals that an area can sustain over the long term. It represents the limit to which a population can grow in a given environment, taking into account factors such as available resources, space, and other ecological constraints. It is a measure of the population size that can be supported without causing significant harm to the ecosystem or depleting resources beyond their ability to regenerate.

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  • 3. 

    The best known early proponent of the concept of carrying capacity was: 

    • Thomas Jefferson

    • Thomas Malthus

    • Thomas Sawyer

    • Thomas Maslow

    Correct Answer
    A. Thomas Malthus
    Explanation
    Thomas Malthus is the correct answer because he was a prominent economist and demographer who introduced the concept of carrying capacity in his work "An Essay on the Principle of Population." Malthus argued that population growth would eventually outstrip the available resources, leading to poverty, famine, and other social issues. His ideas had a significant influence on the study of population dynamics and resource management.

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  • 4. 

    Populations grow exponentially when:

    • Resources are limited

    • Standards of living are high

    • Resources are unlimited

    • Standards of living are low

    • Carrying capacity is exceeded

    Correct Answer
    A. Resources are unlimited
    Explanation
    When resources are unlimited, populations can grow exponentially because there are no constraints on the availability of resources such as food, water, and space. Without limitations, individuals can reproduce without competition for resources, leading to a rapid increase in population size. This exponential growth can continue until other factors, such as predation or disease, come into play or until the carrying capacity of the environment is reached.

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  • 5. 

    The amount of energy transferred from one level to another in a food chain is about:

    • 1%

    • 10%

    • 25%

    • 40%

    • 60%

    Correct Answer
    A. 10%
    Explanation
    In a food chain, only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next trophic level. This is due to the inefficiency of energy transfer and the loss of energy as heat during metabolic processes. The rest of the energy is lost through respiration, excretion, and other metabolic activities. Therefore, the correct answer is 10%.

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  • 6. 

    Carrying capacity is usually diagramed on a graph showing: 

    • population size vs. resource use

    • Ecologic footprint vs. resource availability

    • Population size vs. time

    • Resource use vs. time

    • Population size vs. resource availability

    Correct Answer
    A. Population size vs. time
    Explanation
    The correct answer is population size vs. time. This is because carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support over a specific period of time. Therefore, it is important to graph the population size over time to understand how it changes in relation to the carrying capacity of the environment.

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  • 7. 

    Populations grow logistically when:

    • resources are limited

    • standards of living are high

    • Resources are unlimited

    • standards of living are low

    • Carrying capacity is exceeded

    Correct Answer
    A. resources are limited
    Explanation
    When resources are limited, populations tend to grow logistically. This means that as the population size increases, the availability of resources becomes more scarce. This scarcity of resources leads to increased competition among individuals for those resources, which can result in slower population growth rates. As resources become even more limited, the population growth rate eventually levels off and reaches a point where it stabilizes, known as the carrying capacity. Therefore, when resources are limited, the population growth follows a logistic pattern.

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  • 8. 

    The human carrying capacity will be reached more quickly if:

    • The use of fossil fuels increases

    • the average ecological footprint decreases

    • Immigration increases

    • Immigration increases

    • Standards of living decline

    Correct Answer
    A. The use of fossil fuels increases
    Explanation
    The use of fossil fuels increases the rate at which resources are consumed and environmental degradation occurs. This leads to a faster depletion of resources and a decline in the overall carrying capacity of the planet. As a result, the human carrying capacity will be reached more quickly.

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  • 9. 

    Currently the human carrying capacity is estimated to be a maximum of: 

    • 5 million

    • 50 million

    • 5 billion

    • 50 billion

    • 5 trillion

    Correct Answer
    A. 50 billion
    Explanation
    The correct answer is 50 billion because it is estimated that the Earth's resources can sustain a population of up to 50 billion people. This estimation takes into account factors such as available land for agriculture, access to clean water, and the ability to manage waste and pollution. However, it is important to note that this estimate is based on current technologies and practices, and future advancements may change this estimate.

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  • 10. 

    The cultural carrying capacity is lower than the carrying capacity because:

    • Advanced societies take up more space

    • a higher standard of living uses more resources

    • Differences between different cultures lead to conflicts

    • Some cultures have larger populations

    • Less advanced societies have higher birth rates

    Correct Answer
    A. a higher standard of living uses more resources
    Explanation
    A higher standard of living uses more resources because people with a higher standard of living tend to consume more goods and services, which in turn requires more resources for production and distribution. This includes not only material goods but also energy, water, and other natural resources. As a result, the cultural carrying capacity, which refers to the maximum number of individuals that a society can sustainably support, is lower than the carrying capacity, which is the maximum number of individuals that an environment can support without degradation.

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  • 11. 

    Estimates of human carrying capacity made in the 1700’s: 

    • Were lower than modern calculations because humans use resources more efficiently today

    • Were lower than modern calculations because they underestimated the earth’s resources

    • Were higher than modern calculations because population growth was slower

    • Were higher than modern calculations because ecological footprints were smaller

    • carrying capacity was not studied in the 1700’s

    Correct Answer
    A. Were lower than modern calculations because humans use resources more efficiently today
    Explanation
    Estimates of human carrying capacity made in the 1700's were lower than modern calculations because humans use resources more efficiently today. This means that in the 1700's, people were not able to utilize resources as effectively as they do now, resulting in lower estimates of the Earth's carrying capacity. Over time, advancements in technology and knowledge have allowed humans to develop more efficient and sustainable methods of resource utilization, leading to higher estimates of carrying capacity in modern calculations.

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  • 12. 

    The Potato Famine suggests that: 

    • Potatoes are an unreliable food source

    • Carrying capacity won’t be reached because a disaster will reduce the population first

    • Near carrying capacity, small environmental changes can cause a population crash

    • Exponential growth is always followed by a population collapse

    • Overpopulation reduces carrying capacity

    Correct Answer
    A. Near carrying capacity, small environmental changes can cause a population crash
    Explanation
    Near carrying capacity, small environmental changes can cause a population crash. This can be inferred from the Potato Famine, which was a period of mass starvation in Ireland caused by the failure of the potato crop due to a disease. The potato was the main food source for the population, and when it failed, it led to a population crash as people were unable to sustain themselves. This suggests that when a population is close to its carrying capacity, even small changes in the environment can have a significant impact on its survival and lead to a population crash.

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  • 13. 

    The population in 19thcentury Ireland followed which of the following patterns?

    • Logistic growth, crash, exponential growth

    • Crash, logistic growth, exponential growth

    • exponential growth, crash, logistic growth

    • Exponential growth, logistic growth, crash

    • Crash, exponential growth, logistic growth

    Correct Answer
    A. exponential growth, crash, logistic growth
    Explanation
    In the 19th century, the population in Ireland initially experienced exponential growth, meaning that it increased rapidly over time. However, this growth was not sustainable and eventually led to a crash, causing a significant decrease in population. After the crash, the population followed a pattern of logistic growth, which is characterized by a slower and more controlled increase. Therefore, the correct pattern for the population in 19th century Ireland is exponential growth, crash, logistic growth.

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  • 14. 

    The earth’s human carrying capacity: 

    • Is fixed

    • will decrease over time because resources are being depleted

    • Will increase over time because of technological advances

    • Can be expanded indefinitely

    • Cannot be predicted for certain

    Correct Answer
    A. Cannot be predicted for certain
    Explanation
    The earth's human carrying capacity cannot be predicted for certain because it depends on various factors such as technological advancements, resource availability, and population growth. While technological advances may increase the capacity, depletion of resources and population growth may decrease it. Additionally, unforeseen events such as natural disasters or pandemics can also impact the carrying capacity. Therefore, it is not possible to accurately predict the earth's human carrying capacity.

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  • 15. 

    It is unlikely that the maximum possible carrying capacity will be reached because: 

    • Most people would not accept the low standard of living required

    • The population is likely to crash before carrying capacity is reached

    • Technological innovations will push the capacity back indefinitely

    • Population growth rates are declining

    • ecological footprints are shrinking

    Correct Answer
    A. Most people would not accept the low standard of living required
    Explanation
    Most people would not accept the low standard of living required to reach the maximum carrying capacity. This suggests that even if the population were to continue growing, individuals would not be willing to compromise their quality of life to accommodate the increasing population. Therefore, it is unlikely that the maximum carrying capacity will be reached.

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  • 16. 

    The earth could support more people if they all were: 

    • Farmers

    • Conservatoinists

    • Apartment dwellers

    • Recyclers

    • Vegetarians

    Correct Answer
    A. Vegetarians
    Explanation
    If everyone on Earth were vegetarians, it would lead to a more sustainable use of resources and a reduction in environmental impact. Livestock farming requires large amounts of land, water, and feed, contributing to deforestation, water scarcity, and greenhouse gas emissions. By adopting a vegetarian diet, less land would be needed for agriculture, allowing for reforestation and preservation of natural habitats. Additionally, the reduction in animal agriculture would decrease water usage and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, if everyone were vegetarians, the Earth could support a larger population due to the more efficient and sustainable use of resources.

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  • 17. 

    After a population reaches carrying capacity:

    • it begins to grow exponentially

    • It begins to grow logistically

    • It stops growing

    • It crashes

    • It begins to decline slowly

    Correct Answer
    A. It stops growing
    Explanation
    After a population reaches carrying capacity, it stops growing. Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals that an environment can sustainably support. Once this limit is reached, the available resources cannot support any additional growth, leading to a plateau in population size. This is because the resources required for survival, such as food, water, and space, become limited and cannot meet the needs of a growing population. Therefore, the population stops growing and remains relatively stable at the carrying capacity.

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  • 18. 

    A population age pyramid is often asymmetrical because:

    • There are usually more young people than old people

    • Men and women have different life expectancies

    • Birth and death rates vary with development

    • changes in population growth rates are frequent

    • Fertility declines as age increases

    Correct Answer
    A. Men and women have different life expectancies
    Explanation
    The correct answer is men and women have different life expectancies. This is because men and women tend to have different mortality rates at different ages. Women generally have longer life expectancies compared to men, which can result in an asymmetrical age pyramid.

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  • 19. 

    The current human population:

    • Is far from carrying capacity

    • Is approaching carrying capacity rapidly

    • is at carrying capacity

    • has exceeded carrying capacity

    • is keeping a steady distance from carrying capacity because productivity increases have matched population growth

    Correct Answer
    A. Is far from carrying capacity
    Explanation
    The given answer suggests that the current human population is far from reaching its carrying capacity. This means that the population is still well below the maximum number of individuals that the environment can sustain. There are likely still ample resources and space available for the population to grow before reaching its limit.

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  • 20. 

    Global warming is likely to:

    • Increase the number of people the planet can sustain by stimulating plant growth

    • Decrease the number of people the planet can sustain by increasing water use

    • increase the number of people the planet can sustain by reducing the use of energy for heating

    • Decrease the number of people the planet can sustain by reducing land area due to sea level rise

    • it is impossible to predict how global warming will affect carrying capacity

    Correct Answer
    A. it is impossible to predict how global warming will affect carrying capacity
    Explanation
    The answer states that it is impossible to predict how global warming will affect carrying capacity. Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals that an environment can sustainably support. Since global warming is a complex phenomenon with various interconnected factors, it is difficult to accurately predict its specific impact on carrying capacity. The effects of global warming can vary depending on factors such as changes in climate patterns, availability of resources, and ecological disruptions. Therefore, it is not possible to determine with certainty how global warming will affect carrying capacity.

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Apr 12, 2011
    Quiz Created by
    Marshallje
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